News

SAS sniper appeal denied over Hereford gun possession

DISCHARGED SAS sniper Danny Nightingale has failed in his latest attempt to overturn his conviction for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition.

Appearing in front of three judges at the Court Martial Appeal Court in London, the 39-year-old former soldier was today told his suspended sentence would stand.

Initially jailed after a 9mm Glock and 338 rounds of ammunition were found in his Hereford home in 2011, his sentence was then downgraded and then quashed.

However a fresh trial last July at the Military Court Centre in Wiltshire sentenced the Crewe man to two years in military detention, suspended for 12 months.

Nightingale had claimed the pistol was a present from Iraqis he worked with in 2007, and the ammunition had been accrued while working as an instructor on a shooting range – which he stored at home to save time.

Both were found in a plastic box under his bed in a house he shared with an SAS colleague, referred to in the trials as Soldier N.

Since his conviction, Nightingale’s family – notably his wife Sally – has been vocal in his defence.

The case has left him liable for a £200k bill, and having been medically discharged from the army in February, he now finds himself self-employed.

However an attempt to appeal the conviction was turned down in November, and today Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas echoed that decision, ruling that there is no grounds to appeal.

mizza - I suspect he's had a bit of slack - a handgun and 338 rounds of ammunition left in an unlocked box under a bed in a house that was not guarded or otherwise a safe place for firearms. It's not a cuddly toy and some paperclips from the office cupboard.

mizza - I suspect he's had a bit of slack - a handgun and 338 rounds of ammunition left in an unlocked box under a bed in a house that was not guarded or otherwise a safe place for firearms. It's not a cuddly toy and some paperclips from the office cupboard.WYSIATI

WYSIATI
I understand but it just seems a bit strong considering his service. No one was hurt, it didn't go missing.
I know he deserves a slap on the wrist but to be left with a 200K bill seems a bit unjust.

WYSIATI
I understand but it just seems a bit strong considering his service. No one was hurt, it didn't go missing.
I know he deserves a slap on the wrist but to be left with a 200K bill seems a bit unjust.mizza21